Custom Tikka T3 build questions

[blue_ridge]

Does anyone know how best to bed the T3 recoil lug? If I do a build in a Manners stock, will the stock recoil lug need to be trued along with bolt face, threads etc? Anyone replace it with a thicker lug?

Also, I'm looking for parts and gunsmith for some other related Tikka work.

I need a tactical bolt knob. Tried PM to Fortis but no answer.

I would like to get the firing pin bushed.

Need to find some 5 round mags for 308.

Thanks.

 

[blue_ridge]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

Anyone with any knowledge on the subject?

 

[BgBmBoo]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

Can not answer your question about the firing pin bushing...or bedding the recoil lug. The recoil lug is NOT part or the action but is mounted to the stock. Not sure why you would do the firing pin??

From a accuracy stand point ALL of my Tikka's would shoot as well if not better then some of my high dollar rifles....including TRG-22, built up Remmy 5R, Savage 12LRPV, DTA SRS, etc.

Granted the stocks,mags, and bottom "metal" leave a lot to be desired....but for a $550.00 rifle they are VERY good shooters.

Here are some five shot groups shot with the three Tikka's I have owned...I still have the .243 and .223 Lite models...oh...and all shot with factory ammo.

The 5 round mags I bought directly from Beretta.

Take care,Stan

 

[trigger time]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

As for the recoil lug, or in the case of the tikka the (bar?) there are two ways to go about it. If you are going with a new barrel you can have a traditional type lug installed. I built a 338 on a Sako trg-s action that used the same recoil bar as the tikka and added one. If you go that route you will need to talk to Manners about the lug inlet. If you are not going to rebarrel I'd just leave it as is for now. Its always something you can go back and change later, and open a recess in your stock when you do. The Manners is more of a drop and go inlet and it fits very well.

 

[Delta Tactical]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

Bolt Knob from Tactical Operations:

 

[blue_ridge]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

TriggerTime, I have a Manners on order. Are you saying they will inlet for the factory T3 lug OR a Rem700 style lug? Did you have Manners bed the action?

Chubby, I see where Brownells sells these bolt knobs. Thanks. Might just do that.

 

[Delta Tactical]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

Yes Brownells sells them, Mel on snipercentral sells them also and i think Tactical Operations may sell them also.

As for Manners stock, yes they will inlet for the factory Tikka lug or a Remington style lug.

 

[trigger time]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

I would imagine they will inlet it for a rem style lug if you planed to add one but you would have to talk to Tom about that. If they don't offer that any decent smith can inlet it and fill the space for the factory recoil bar/ or whatever they call it.

 

[blue_ridge]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

Okay, thanks. Will call Manners and ask.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

Blue Ridge,

Here's what I responded in the other Tikka thread:

"I would say that it depends on the caliber. I've had 2 300wm's, a 270 and a 300wsm in the T3 lite. The .270 has always shot about 3/4 moa and continues to do so after thousands of rounds.

The 300's definitely degraded in accuracy over time. The action will actually pound a dent in the recoil lug causing the action to start shifting in the stock. Once this happens there is no turning back.

I would either replace the OEM block with steel and Devcon it into place or do what I did and put on an aftermarket Rem. 700 style lug upon rebarreling, which also helps control rotation in the stock (torque) which the stock lug does nothing for. My stock 300 barrels only lasted 1500 rds., so it was fairly timely. Combine this with filling the voids in the action area with Devcon and pillar/skim bed and you'll have quite the precision rifle, even with the OEM barrrel. Or better yet, drop it into a Manners T4.

My 300wm is pretty much a ragged hole rifle at 100 yds. now.

John"

Before paint:

After:

Tom will inlet to your specifications and then you can Devcon to bed it, then paint. Or you can have a gunsmith try to inlet it to match, but bedding will always be superior.

Good luck,

John

Oh, and BTW, MonteBoy84 over at Sniper Central is in MN and he has started putting TacOps knobs on Tikkas.

 

[blue_ridge]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

Jrob, Thanks for the info. I had read your post on the other thread but I didn't want to hijack Pete Lincoln's discussion because he has some great sounding ideas!

My biggest confusion is over how to organize my build properly. I need to:

1. install my used T3 6.5x47 barrel on the action. (some smiths will not do this kind of work unless they can chamber it themselves) I guess I won't be able to have the receiver trued because the barrel is already chambered.
2. Determine what recoil lug to use. I'm selling the original stock and one buyer has already asked that I include the factory recoil lug. I guess this is no problem if it is easy to replace. So any recoil lug so long as it matches the barrel shank diameter?
3. Figure out where to get the work done. Not sure if I should ask Manners if they can install the barrel, new recoil lug and bed the action OR if I can find a local gunsmith to take the Manners stock and do all of that plus a bolt handle. I've done a little bedding on my own but I don't have a lathe, barrel vise or drill press so am assuming I should have a smith do all this.

 

[trigger time]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

If you go with a remmy style recoil lug you will have to have your barrel rechambered anyway. If you have a used tikka barrel that you are wanting to use as is then you will have to stay with the original recoil lug design.

 

[blue_ridge]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

Trigger, I hadn't even thought oof that. seems pretty obvious now. Thanks.

I called Manners and was told, basically, I need to have the barrel installed on the action before I ship it to them. Also, I need to include the original recoil lug with it. (or have one fabricated beforehand)

They were very nice and helpful and I can't wait to see the whole rig put together when it's done. I don't intend this as match rifle, but I hope the lack of truing doesn't hinder accuracy too much. It'll be bedded and pillared by Manners and finish as a 21" 6.5x47 heavy palma at about 10lbs. I'll send the bolt to Gre-tan to bush the firing pin.

 

[308norma]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

The stock I bought for my Tikka T3 came with an oversized recoil lug already bedded. All I had to do was drop it in and tighten the screws.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

6.5x47 will probably be fine with the stock lug. However, if it was me, and I was rebarreling, I'd DEFINITELY change it.

You can use the Rem. recoil lug on either barrel, but it will have to be headspaced if chambered. If new barrel, no problem because it has to be chamber reamed. You can have the action trued, but again, it will have to be headspaced. Tikka's, unlike most Rems., are very true, but I had the front of my action trimmed (bevel cut off) to accommodate the larger recoil lug.

John

 

[bignada]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

If you are going Rem 700 style lug, all need do is have the barrel set forward, relieved ahead of the threads to take the lug. If your lug is .20 the relief would be .20 and shouldn't change anything if barrel was original to your receiver. Of course, Sako torques their barrels on like King Kong so unless you can do lots of foot lbs of torque could have a bit more oal to your chamber than before.

Of course, what you really want is a GO Gauge chamber or .0005 to .001 over GO Ga oal.


There is another option, seems I saw on an early thread (or elsewhere) that you can tap and thread the lug relief on the action for a custom lug and permanently attach to your receiver. Two allen head screws loc-tited, and lug recess bedded with one of the steel epoxies and you'd be set.

Sakos are awesome switchbarrel guns. If you can scrounge another T3 bolt or two you could have it all from .223 to magnum.

Anyone know if the T3 barrel thread pattern is the same as the prior edition 595/695? Maybe get MT Guns to do you a barrel???

 

[jrob300]

Re: Custom Tikka T3 build questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bignada</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are going Rem 700 style lug, all need do is have the barrel set forward, relieved ahead of the threads to take the lug. If your lug is .20 the relief would be .20 </div></div>

The relief would need to be a few thou *less* than .200 to crush the lug between the barrel and the action, or the lug will rotate and vibrate on the barrel/action. I'm sure that's what you meant....

John